Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42387545›Full record

ArticleJournal of animal science and biotechnology2026

DNA methylation clock in bull sperm cells reveals the epigenetic aging characteristics and impact on fertility.

Wenlong Li, Yongjie Tang, Songyan An, Jiahao Wang, Xia Feng, Siqian Chen, Ying Yu

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In one paragraph

Article in Journal of animal science and biotechnology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Wenlong Li *National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
Yongjie Tang *National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
Songyan AnNational Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
Jiahao WangNational Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
Xia FengNational Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
Siqian ChenNational Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China. sqchen1028@163.com.
Ying YuNational Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China. yuying@cau.edu.cn.

Funding

Earmarked Fund for China Agriculture Research System CARS-36National Key Research and Development Program of China 2021YFD1200903National Natural Science Foundation of China 32072718NSFC-PSF Joint Project 31961143009Program for Changjiang Scholar and Innovation Research Team in University IRT-15R62
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAging is a crucial factor influencing semen quality and fertility in bulls, with potential implications for reproductive management and genetic improvement programs. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying sperm cell aging is essential for assessing reproductive potential and improving livestock productivity.

resultsIn this study, we developed an epigenetic clock for bull sperm cells using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) and reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) on samples from Holstein stud bulls of different ages. Our analysis identified age-specific CpG sites and revealed distinct DNA methylation patterns associated with different age stages. The developed epigenetic clock demonstrated high accuracy in predicting the biological age of bull sperm cells, with significant correlations between epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) and semen quality traits such as fresh semen motility, frozen semen abnormality rate, and testicular circumference. Furthermore, we explored the involvement of transmembrane transport and other pathways in sperm cell aging, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying semen quality changes. The study also established a cross-species human-bull sperm cell epigenetic clock, highlighting the potential for comparative studies on paternal biological aging.

conclusionsOur findings highlight the important role of DNA methylation regulation in sperm cell aging, providing a novel tool to evaluate reproductive potential in livestock. The creation of the bull sperm cell DNA methylation clock and the discovery of key molecular pathways linked to aging enhance our comprehension of sperm cell biology and provide insight into reproductive management and extending production longevity in cattle.

Indexed as

Bull sperm cellsDNA methylation clockPaternal agingSemen quality

Identifiers

PMID42387545
PMCPMC13326238

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